Vernon

Robberies could be linked

Two businesses in Vernon's north end were hit by a robber last week and RCMP say they may be linked.

It is also the second time the Dollar Tree store on 43rd Avenue has been robbed over the last two months, police said.

On Thursday around 9 p.m., a man entered the Dollar Tree premises, demanded money and took an undisclosed amount of cash before fleeing westbound on 43rd.

RCMP officers with a dog team were in the area within minutes but were unable to find the suspect, said Const. Jocelyn Noseworthy, RCMP spokesperson.

The suspect had a shirt pulled over face and was wearing a black jacket and carrying a back pack.

On Friday, at 9:45 p.m., police were called to a robbery at the Subway sandwich shop on 27 Street.

“(The suspect) grabbed an undisclosed amount of money and placed it in a bag and fled the store northbound on 27th Street,” Noseworthy said. “Vernon/North Okanagan RCMP immediately attended the area but were unable to find the suspect.”

The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, approximately five-feet-nine/ten inches tall, who was wearing a black winter jacket, gloves and carried a black duffle bag.

No weapon was produced during either robbery and no one was hurt.

When asked if the robberies could be linked, Noseworthy replied, “It's absolutely something we're going to look into.”

Police are appealing for witnesses or for information in either case and expect to obtain video from both locations.

The robbery at the Dollar Tree is the second in two months which Noseworthy said must be stressful for the staff.

“It's hard to say exactly why it is being targeted. The Dollar Tree is kind of tucked away from a lot of other businesses that would be open at the same time. That may be part of the reason.”